Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
- More
Claremont , CA
Claremont McKenna College (CMC) is a highly regarded liberal arts college located in Claremont, California. Established in 1946, the college is known for its rigorous academic programs that blend the traditional liberal arts with a strong emphasis on economics, government, and public affairs. CMC offers more than 30 majors and boasts a faculty-to-student ratio of 9:1, allowing for personalized attention and mentorship.
At CMC, students are encouraged to explore various disciplines and engage in interdisciplinary studies, preparing them for success in a wide range of careers. The college is renowned for its Robert Day School of Economics and Finance, which offers a comprehensive program that equips students with a deep understanding of economic principles and their practical applications. In addition to its strong academic focus, CMC is committed to fostering leadership skills and civic engagement. The college provides ample opportunities for students to participate in internships, research, and community service, helping them develop a well-rounded skill set and a sense of social responsibility.
CMC is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, which consists of five undergraduate colleges and two graduate schools. This unique partnership enables students to access a wealth of resources and cross-register for classes at the other member institutions, enriching their educational experience. Additionally, CMC offers a vibrant campus life with a variety of student-led organizations and social activities, creating a close-knit community where students can thrive both academically and socially. Overall, Claremont McKenna College provides a stimulating and supportive environment for students to pursue their academic and personal goals while developing skills that will serve them well in their future endeavors.
Claremont McKenna College is a private comprehensive higher education institution located in Claremont, CA. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 9%. The freshman retention rate at Claremont McKenna College is 98.13% and the six-year graduation rate is 91%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 10. For transfer students, the application deadline is March 15.
Learn more about what Claremont McKenna College has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
1,390
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$71,700
Tuition
8:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
91%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Read on to find out some essential information about admission at Claremont McKenna College.
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 626 in 2025. Claremont McKenna College has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. This eminent school with a rich history offers an excellent learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 26% and ACT scores 13%. 98.95% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600 and 1.15% between 1,200 and 1,399. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 97.78 and 2.22 between 24-29.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 740 for the newly enrolled students, while the average SAT Math score was 770.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 10. When filling out the application as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is March 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Claremont McKenna College was 98.13% in 2025, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 91%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution had an enrollment of 1,393 students.
That year, the school had 52% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 1,390, 206 of which were international students. 13 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 694 male and 692 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 237, while the number of Black American students was 57. 206 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 121 as multirace. There were also 64 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for Claremont McKenna College.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $71,700 in 2025. Claremont McKenna College is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $420 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The approximate price of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,200.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
At Claremont McKenna College, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $22,190. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 added up to $11,920 for one academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 71,700 |
| Room and Board | $ 22,190 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 95,090 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial support in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for finishing your studies. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid available at Claremont McKenna College.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 114 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $65,837.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
562 students were awarded some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Claremont McKenna College is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 566. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $1,634,207, and state $1,339,453. The students of Claremont McKenna College received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $29,723,653, and external in the amount of $1,044,202.
$20,103
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 283 students overall (including freshmen) at Claremont McKenna College in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 58 full-time freshman. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $1,970,063. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $820,015 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
Majors
Faculty
8:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, this ratio at Claremont McKenna College was 8:1. That means that there were 8 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 207 faculty members at this school. Out of that number, there were 128 male and 78 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Claremont McKenna College: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about students' life at Claremont McKenna College.
It has a campus size of 69 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
According to recently gathered data, there are 60 open-membership organizations at Claremont McKenna College. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For individuals with an interest in media and communication, Claremont McKenna College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Claremont McKenna College, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of Claremont McKenna College.
All in all, campus life at Claremont McKenna College is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Claremont McKenna College.
Career Counselling
At Claremont McKenna College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Being aware of the projected salary upon finishing your studies can be important in determining if a specific school is in line with your career ambitions.
Students who find employment within six months of graduating can expect an average base annual starting salary of 82,720 USD.
$82,720
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
-
Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA.
-
Claremont McKenna College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Claremont McKenna College is 71,700 USD, based on the most recent data.
-
This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
-
The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Claremont McKenna College is 9%.
-
According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Claremont McKenna College is 98.13%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
